AN: Hey everyone! I know it's been longer than usual since I posted the last chapter, but I've been busy with finals and I was trying to make sure that this was a good one. I had writer's block, but somehow this ended up being the longest chapter yet! For some reason I had a really hard time writing Neji..... I hope you like it anyway!
Naruto jumped off of a store rooftop, flipping through the air and landing neatly on the outer wall of the Hyuuga compound. He landed in a crouch then stood and walked along the tiled roof, heading towards the side door of Neji's apartment.
He paused when he felt the presence of another ninja behind him.
"Stop right there."
Naruto turned calmly to face the person who had called out to him, "Yeah?"
He turned and looked into the blank eyes of a Hyuuga ninja; obviously the afternoon guard; "You can't just walk into our home whenever you choose. Who are you, and why are you here?"
Naruto smiled reassuringly at the younger ninja, "Don't worry, I'm a friend of Neji's. I came to see him."
The Hyuuga frowned in disapproval, "If you are Neji-sama's friend then why didn't you come in by the front gate? I can't allow you to sneak over the wall this way. If you weren't a Konoha Ninja I would have attacked you by now."
Naruto stifled a laugh, "You aren't strong enough kid." the dark haired boy started to growl a response, but Naruto held up his hand and continued, "Anyway, Neji's place is right here, it's a lot faster this way, so why would I go all the way to the other side of the compound just to get here?"
The Hyuuga rolled his unusual eyes in exasperation, "That's not the point! You-"
Naruto turned as Neji landed beside them, "That's enough, it's alright Koyaru, he is welcome here."
The young ninja jumped at the sudden appearance of the older Hyuuga, "Oh! Neji-sama! So you know this person?"
Neji nodded, "Yes, he is a friend of both Hinata-sama and myself. You can go back to your post."
The younger ninja bowed, "I'm sorry! I'll remember your face in the future sir. Please excuse me Neji-sama."
Neji sighed, "Sorry about that Naruto, he's a recently graduated Genin, he's new to guard duty and not familiar with the regular visitors."
Naruto cringed, "Neji, do you have to speak so formally? Relax, it's not a problem."
Neji jumped off the wall, landing lightly on the patio of his apartment, "Come in, I just made tea."
Naruto followed in the wake of the older ninja, landing on the patio with a soft thud, "Thanks Neji, but actually I came to ask you a favor."
Neji walked through the open side door, and his smooth voice drifted back over the threshold, "Very well. Come in and tell me about it. My tea is beginning to boil over."
Naruto followed Neji through the spacious living room and into the kitchen; he was already familiar with the layout of Neji's home, but he was always impressed by the sheer size of the place.
And this is just one of the apartments for the branch family!
When he entered the kitchen Neji was already setting out the tea tray, moving through the area with his usual gracefulness. Naruto watched him, noting that Neji had set out two cups, in spite of the fact that he had declined. He smiled, I guess I'm having tea then.
Neji set the tray on a low table, he gestured for Naruto to sit, then began pouring the tea, "Alright Naruto. What can I do for you?"
Naruto sat across from the Hyuuga and accepted the tea that Neji held out to him, "Thanks, actually, I need you to help me find something that I lost. I was hoping you could search for it with Byakuugan."
Neji tilted his head slightly at the younger shinobi, "Oh? What are you looking for? I'll help if I can."
Neji sat quietly as Naruto explained what he had lost and why he needed it back. Neji sighed lightly then shook his head, "That's impossible Naruto. I can't do it."
Naruto frowned, slouching dejectedly, "But Neji! You're the best! Can't you at least try?"
Neji sipped his tea then frowned at his blond friend, "Do you have any idea how long it would take me to check every canvas bag in Konoha?" Naruto just stared at him, so he continued, "I don't have nearly enough chakra to do that. It could take days, weeks, and there is no way that I could keep track of the ones I've checked and the ones I haven't. I'm sorry Naruto. I'd like to help you, but it can't be done."
Naruto frowned, a slight pout creeping across his face as he stared at the polished table top, "Yeah, I guess you're right...shit, now what am I going to do...?"
"Naruto. Why don't you just go back to Yamanaka's flower shop, get a new bouquet and give that to Haruno. It's better than not getting her anything isn't it?"
Naruto twisted the tea cup in his hands and watched as the steaming beverage spun in the glass, "I guess, but I really wanted to give her something special you know? Something that would make her really excited, something she really wanted."
Neji sighed, "This means a lot to you doesn't it?"
Naruto nodded, "Oh well, it's my fault for leaving it behind. Maybe I can get her a bracelet or something; she likes things that sparkle...." he trailed off thoughtfully.
The corners of Neji's mouth curved up in the beginning of a smile, That's Naruto for you. Nothing ever fazes him for long.
Neji set his cup back on the tray, "That sounds like a good idea Naruto. There's no point in getting upset over something you can't change."
Naruto grinned and held up his fist in determination, "Right! I'll choose something else that will make Sakura-chan smile! I can find something for sure!"
Neji calmly placed Naruto's cup back on the tray and wiped away the ring of moisture that it had left on the table.
Naruto stood and stretched his arms above his head, "Well, thanks anyway Neji, but I better get going if I'm going to get Sakura-chan a new present before she's off."
Neji nodded, "I understand. I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."
Naruto grinned, "You were helpful Neji! You got me thinking straight. Now that I'm calm I can figure something out."
Neji stood with the tray, "Well, I'm glad you found that helpful."
Naruto waved to Neji as he walked out the door, "Yeah, you're a pretty relaxing guy. Later Neji, thanks for the tea!"
Neji waved back at his exuberant friend, "Good Luck Naruto."
After leaving the Hyuuga grounds, Naruto had taken to the rooftops once more, bounding from one building to the next.
He stopped briefly at his apartment for a quick shower and a change of clothes, then rushed to the other side of town where he knew Sakura liked to shop.
He jumped back down into the street and looked around at the faintly familiar shops; his gaze turned to one on the corner. A small clothing store, swathed in pink and advertising to the 'Fashionable Kunoichi!' He shuddered as he remembered the one time that Sakura had taken him shopping; it was something he hoped he would never experience again.
He looked away, Not that one. Any shop but that one...
Naruto walked along the street, dodging small herds of female shoppers giggling to each other and rummaging through one another's bags.
He sighed, it was embarrassing to be in the area without a woman as an excuse, but he steeled his resolve and continued.
He looked from one store to the next, trying to decide which one might hold a nice gift for Sakura. He looked around helplessly, trying to figure out what the difference was; he had all but given up hope, and was just about to plunge recklessly into the nearest store and hope for the best, when he heard someone calling his name.
He whirled around, his eyes scanning the many women in the area for the source of the voice. The person who had called to him had obviously been feminine, but in a crowd of so many females, all chatting away with their high, lyrical voices he was at a loss.
Suddenly Ino and TenTen appeared above the crowd, hanging off the side of one of the buildings. Ino waved to him, "Hey Naruto!"
Naruto smiled and waved back, "Ino! TenTen!"
He made his way through the crowd to where the girls were waiting for him, "TenTen, Ino! I'm glad to see you two! This place is insane!"
TenTen smiled, "What on earth are you doing here Naruto? I thought the guys all avoided this place like the plague! "
Naruto sighed, "Normally I do, but I'm looking for a present for Sakura-chan. Everyone here is running around like they're being chased by Sound Nin!"
TenTen laughed, "It's always like this!"
Ino tilted her head at him and draped one slender arm over his shoulder, putting almost all of her weight on the taller Shinobi "Hold on Naruto, I thought you already got her a present. What happened to the flowers I gave you?" she smiled mischievously, "Was that just an excuse to see me or did you give them to some other, almost-as-pretty-as-me Kunoichi?"
Naruto looked dejectedly at her, "I'm sorry Ino-chan. I lost them."
TenTen put a hand on her hip and frowned at the younger ninja, "How do you lose a bouquet of flowers?"
Naruto sighed and told the girls about meeting Shikamaru, going for tea; Lee's sudden appearance and his quest to perfect his newest move and how it had resulted in the loss of the gifts that he had so painstakingly chosen, all the way through his conversation with Neji and finally, to his decision to come to the market and find something else for his beloved teammate.
TenTen rolled her eyes, "For crying out loud! Lee can be such an idiot sometimes!"
Ino sighed, "Well I have no problem replacing the flowers for you since it wasn't really your fault that you lost them."
Naruto smiled half-heartedly at the other blond, "Thanks a lot Ino-chan, I-"
He was cut off as a small cloud of insects flew in front of him, "Ah?"
The three ninja followed the flight of the insects and turned to find themselves looking at Shino.
The mysterious Shinobi was leaning against the wall of the building beside them; he held up one hand and the tiny bugs flew up his sleeve and out of sight.
TenTen shuddered, "That is so gross..."
Ino wrinkled her nose at him, "Can't you think of a less disgusting way of announcing yourself Shino?"
Shino straightened and moved to Naruto's side, "Hello everyone."
Naruto raised one eyebrow, "Uh, Hi Shino. I never thought I'd find you around here."
The darker nin pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose, "I was just passing through."
Ino looked up at Naruto, "Uh....huh....If you say so Shino."
Naruto fidgeted under the gaze of his former classmate, "Okay then, I really have to get going." He started to turn away from his friends, "I don't have much time before Sakura-chan is off duty and I want to find a gift for her."
"Naruto wait."
Very slowly, Naruto turned back to the bug obsessed Shinobi, Oh man, I never know what to do with this guy.... He grinned at his companion, "Yeah Shino?"
Shino figeted with his sunglasses again, "Hinata was looking for you." Nartuto turned to face him, suddenly all ears, "She said that she found something that belongs to you."
Naruto stared at the other Ninja; Shino waited patiently for the outburst that he knew was coming, "WHAT?"
Naruto closed the distance between Shino and himself and grabbed the taller Shinobi by the shoulders, "Really Shino! Where is she!"
Without a word, Shino stepped back out of Naruto's grasp, "I saw her twenty minutes ago in the third training grounds. She said she was looking for you there."
Naruto punched the air in excitement, "Yes! Thank you Shino! I'm gonna go find her!" he waved to the Kunoichi as he jumped to the rooftops, "Thank you Ino! Thanks TenTen! I'll see you later!"
TenTen laughed and waved back to him, "Good Luck Naruto!"
Ino waved at the taller blond as he landed on the roof, "Let me know how it turns out!"
Naruto laughed as he sped away, "You got it!"
